By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service
Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said today that although he hopes diplomacy can work to stop the genocide in Darfur, he thinks that a military option should be on the table. He thinks this military option could take the form of a no-fly zone. (01:43)
By Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for the President of Sudan, Omar Hassen al-Bashir, for five years of violence in Darfur. In a Global press conference call on the International Criminal Court’s decision, John Norris, executive director of The Enough Project, stated that, “I think this is a very good day for international justice; I think it is a very good day for improved prospects for peace in Sudan.”
Norris explained that although there is no obvious vehicle to deliver al-Bashir to the Court immediately, that people just need to look at examples such as Charles Taylor and Slobodan Milosevic to realize that justice does find its way. “It is the first time that Bashir has ever been held accountable for any of his actions, and it’s the first time that he faced the significant cost from the international community for his divisive and deadly divide and conquer style politics both in Darfur and in the earlier civil war with the south,” stated Norris.
Norris said that,“This really does give a clear stamp from the international community that the crimes, the heinous crimes, that have occurred in Darfur can be traced in a bright and direct line back to the Presidential palace in Khartoum” and as a result these actions, Norris anticipates that peace will be much more possible and likely.
Ambassador Susan Rice discussed the situation in Sudan at the Security Council. UNIMID 64% of its authorized strength. There is urgency to get to 100 %. There was a cost free air bridge to the area to get in heavy equipment. The United States welcomes the efforts by the United Nations and the African Union. Agreement signed in Doha is the a first step. UNIMID has had bravery. There is extreme disappointment because of one member state to not give its support to condemning GEM and others. The action of one member state is getting in the way. The United States all rebel groups to join along with Civil Society to join in negotiations. Libya is alone in the security council.
The Sudan Ambassador to the UN was very upbeat about the “landmark” achievement signed in Doha today, The French Government is still holding a rebel leader from joining in the peace progress. The issues related to Darfur are very clear and now the root causes will also be discussed. Our country is fully united behind our President. We will continue to rally behind our president. Peace in Darfur will heal wounds. Many countries are favoring Article 16 but other countries have other views. It is ironic that the US is asking for the ICC (International Criminal Court) but the US is not a member of the ICC.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced that Congress would be prepared to vote on the bailout for the Big 3 automakers today, pending discussion with those in the Senate.
During a pen and pad session, Hoyer elaborated on the details of the legislation, “Any tax payer assistance will be covered with vigorous oversight, and it’s included in the bill.”
While the Majority Leader stated that they will be prepared today, the Senate may vote first if success seems more likely through that avenue.
Hoyer also discussed prospects for an economic stimulus package, “President-elect Obama has made it very clear that he wants to see a very substantial economic stimulus package passed. He wants to sign such a package in January,” said Hoyer.
“After eight years of economic policies that have lead us to arguably the worst economic performance, the greatest loss of jobs, the most difficulty confronting our people since the great depression it’s critically important that we have legislation that will assist in getting this economy going. We plan on doing this very early next year before President-elect Obama is sworn.”
The Majority Leader also said that he and ten other representatives, including ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), will be presenting Obama with a series of suggestions to help end the genocide in Darfur.
As the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by President Bill Clinton nears, Commissioner for the rights of non-Muslims in Sudan, Joshua Dae Diu, spoke at the Hudson Institute about the progress Sudan has made.
“Religion is still a major problem in Sudan. South Sudan has become a secular system where freedom of religion is allowed, while the north is still not allowing non-Muslims to practice their religion,” Diu said.
The CPA says that there are other citizens practicing different religions and traditions that police, judges, and other law enforcement need to remember and to allow. Diu says because of this agreement, the south has moved to allow non-Muslims to practice their religion freely throughout. The north is still an Islamic State and until the elections occur in 2009, the north has refused to change course to allow religious freedom.
“The CPA has tried to address the basic issues that plague Sudan, that is why we have one country with two systems. After six years of having these two systems, what do we do then? We must leave it up to the people in the north and south,” Diu said.
Along with the elections that will take place in 2009, a Census is being held throughout Sudan. Diu said that the Census does not cover who is non-Muslim in the Nation’s Capitol and in Sudan. Diu went on to say that the south should have argued this but they were intimidated by the northern officials. “Because of the south being intimidated by the north we are now stuck, we will have to wait another 10 years for another Census to occur. We can not wait another 10 years to get safety for non-Muslims in Sudan.,” Diu stated.
With our economy a mess and the world economy messy as well, it is easy to forget about other problems. One of those “other problems” is the proliferation of arms. It is especially easy to forget, given that our export economy includes a significant sale of armaments.
There is a campaign to stop this trade called “The World Is Watching.” The goal? To get the 153 governments who voted at the United Nations to develop an arms treaty. This vote took place in 2006, but so far there is no treaty. (more…)
Details are emerging of a fresh attack in North Darfur on a United Nations – African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) . The ambush happened between the villages of Gusa Jamat and Wadah (see map below) at 2:45 local time and killed approximately seven peacekeepers, and wounded another 22 more. The United Nations is reporting that “heavy weapons” were used, and that the scurmish lasted approxmately two hours.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attacks, and called for local and national actors to be mindful of previous commitments to the on-going peace process. Mr. Ban also issued his condolences to the family members affected by the attack.
Audio: A statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General regarding the attacks on UNAMID forces in North Darfur. Download. (1:33)
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and Law discussed violence in Sudan and the United States’ inability to prosecute those who have committed crimes against humanity when the are in the United States. Dianne Orentlicher, a lawyer from the Open Society Justice Initiative urged the committee to promote legislation that would show strong opposition to crimes against humanity.
Orentlicher said the United States should prosecute those responsible for committing human rights violations, in particular those who currently reside in the United States. According to Orentlicher, those guilty of crimes against humanity can be prosecuted in American courts for torture or visa fraud but crimes against humanity are not currently violations of federal law. She said many Americans are unaware that these crimes are not currently punishable under U.S. law. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) noted that Salvadoran military leaders responsible for killings in El Salvador, including the deaths of four American women, currently live in Miami.
Daoud Hari, a Darfuri refugee who currently lives in Maryland, described his experience as a villager and translator to the committee. In his testimony, Hari asked Congress to pressure the Department of State to allow more Darfuri refugees to gain asylum in the United States. Currently, the United States has granted four other Darfuri refugees residence. Hari also asked the United States to fund the UN World Food Programme’s efforts in the region.
Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of Team Darfur Joey Cheek discussed his organizations call for an Olympic Truce, an effort that would promote peace during the Olympic Games through international reconciliation and dialogue. Cheek said that youth are offended by the actions of the Sudanese government and disturbed that mass killings continue to occur knowingly.
I developed great sadness while making the video about the Christian Solidarity International/Talkers Magazine Trip to Southern Sudan video, and have written an extended post about it on my personal website.
Click here to visit my personal website and read my thoughts on this video.
March 11, 2008, Talkers Magazine and Christian Solidarity International co-sponsored a trip to Southern Sudan and Southern Darfur. Radio Hosts included Joe Madison (XM Satellite Radio and WOL-AM), Thom Hartmann (Syndicated), Jack Rice (WCCO), Rusty Humphries (Syndicated), Ellen Ratner (Talk Radio News Service), and Dr. John Eibner of Christian Solidarity International. The group brought with them “Sacks of Hope” which are sponsored by donations.
